Light in the Darkness vs. The Vision

[The Assassin]

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October 10th, 2026
Birmingham, England
Off Camera
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Rise To Greatness went exactly as The Vision had hoped. Fate was truly on their side as they defeated the unproven and unprepared team of Kirsten Scott and Scarlett Carsons. The victory at SCW’s show of shows meant even more than just a rivalry ender for Melinda Braddock and Fiona Logan. This victory gives them momentum in the tag team division. They defeated Hollywood. They defeated Scott and Carsons. Now on Breakdown from Boston, Massachusetts The Vision will take on Light in the Darkness, Amelia Nevado and La Pequena Luz. Not only are they the former SCW World Tag Team Champions, but Amelia is the former SCW World Champion. This match provides a huge opportunity for Melinda and Fiona of The Vision to make an even greater and more substantial case for championship opportunity in the future. They already own a victory over Kirsten Scott from Rise To Greatness, the current number one contender to the Adrenaline Championship. Defeating Light in the Darkness could help them make a case for tag team title and world title opportunities as well. Everything is falling The Vision’s way ever since Rise To Greatness. And with everything going their way, Melinda and Fiona, along with their counterpart, Melinda’s fiance Clyde Sutter, are in Birmingham, England on business; business of a potential expansion of their grand design. Assuming, of course, Fate wills that their design expand.

Fiona Logan has never been one to follow along with the concept of Fate. That’s Melinda and Clyde’s deal. But as crazy as they may sound about their obsession with Fate, it has still helped Fiona make incredible progress in such a short time as a professional wrestler. In just a few years she has already six world tag team championships in two different companies, as well as four undercard singles championships. Melinda Braddock has not steered Fiona astray yet, so The Boston Badass will gladly tolerate her obsession over Fate as long as it continues to get her success. Competing against the former SCW World Tag Team and World Champions is certainly evidence of that success.

The private facility purchased by Lilith Sutter stood as an imposing fortress of athletic ambition tucked away in a quiet industrial sector. Far removed from the crowded, chaotic energy of public training centers, the gym was a sanctuary of iron, rubber, and polished concrete. Massive overhead industrial lights cast a clean, brilliant white illumination across rows of heavy power racks, rows of dumbbells arranged in descending order of weight, and a vast expanse of high density flooring designed to absorb the thunderous impact of dropped weights. The air carried the crisp, sterile scent of new equipment, floor cleaner, and the faint metallic tang of steel plates. Every corner of the building spoke volumes about Lilith's resources and her determination to provide her brother and his inner circle with an uncompromising environment to hone their craft.

Heavy glass double doors parted with a quiet, pneumatic hiss as the three members of The Vision stepped inside from the humid exterior. Clyde Sutter led the way, his massive frame completely filling the entranceway. He was dressed strictly for business, wearing a thick charcoal grey compression shirt that clung tightly to his heavily muscled chest and broad shoulders, paired with loose athletic training shorts and heavy weightlifting shoes. His long black hair was pulled back into a secure, tight knot at the base of his neck, keeping every strand away from his square, unsmiling face. Close behind him came Fiona Logan, moving with the coiled, restless energy of a predator preparing to hunt. Her attire was built for absolute mobility, consisting of form fitting black athletic leggings and a dark burgundy sports bra that showed off her toned midriff, with her signature crimson streaked hair gathered up into a high, whipping ponytail that bounced with every energetic step she took.

Bringing up the rear with her characteristic, aristocratic poise was Melinda Braddock. Eschewing standard athletic wear entirely, The Third Generation Goddess glided across the polished concrete floor in an outfit that looked more suited for a high end European lounge than a sweat soaked training facility. She wore a matching cream colored cashmere tracksuit of immaculate tailoring, the soft fabric draping gracefully over her slender frame, paired with pristine white designer sneakers that barely made a sound as she walked. Her platinum blonde hair fell in soft, flawless waves around her shoulders, completely untroubled by the heavy atmosphere of the room. A delicate gold pendant rested against her collarbone, catching the overhead lights as she observed the immaculate layout with an expression of quiet, supreme satisfaction. She carried herself not as someone participating in the sweat and grime of the workout, but as the royal architect overseeing her domain.

Past the expansive array of free weights and conditioning machines, the center of the facility was dominated by a professional wrestling ring, its canvas stretched taut over thick wooden boards and surrounded by heavy black padded turnbuckles. The ring apron gleamed under the glaring white lights, devoid of corporate logos or promotional banners, serving as a pure, unadulterated testing ground. Waiting inside the ropes, standing alone near the center of the canvas, was Serena Grace. Younger than both Melinda and Fiona by a year or two, the dark haired trainee looked both focused and visibly tense. She was dressed fully to compete in professional wrestling gear consisting of sleek black spandex tights and a matching athletic top adorned with subtle crimson trimming. Her dark hair was pulled back tightly from her face, though a few stray strands clung to her damp forehead, evidence of the extensive preparation she had already put in before their arrival.

Serena stood with her hands resting on her hips, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm as she stared across the canvas toward the entrance. Her eyes locked instantly onto Clyde, recognizing the immovable authority of her instructor, before flickering briefly to Melinda and Fiona standing by the ringside apron. The silence inside the massive building felt heavy and expectant, broken only by the low, steady hum of the climate control system overhead. No words were spoken, yet the entire atmosphere shifted instantly, charging the air with an electric sense of gravity. The stage was set for a grueling, uncompromising masterclass in brutality, where weakness would be systematically stripped away and absolute obedience would be forged under the relentless supervision of The Vision.

“Serena…dear, cousin…” Melinda snickers “...wait, are we truly cousins yet? Or are you still just a stranger amongst The Vision?”

Melinda, Fiona, and Clyde surround the ring, creating an intimidating atmosphere for the younger trainee. Braddock looks up at Serena with an arrogant, condescending grin on her face.

“I mean, yes, my deluded Aunt Julia did adopt you. I suppose that technically makes us cousins.” She points at Fiona. “My mother adopted Fiona. But do you want to know what separates you from Fiona?”

“Uh…experience?” The nervous Serena answers meekly.

“Oh it is more than just mere experience.” Melinda says cooly. “You HAD your chance with The Vision. You traveled alongside myself and Fiona for months. But what exactly did that accomplish?” Braddock shrugs her shoulders. “Absolutely nothing. And the problem was entirely you. You lacked drive, you lacked passion, and you lacked motivation. You were content with just being the mouthpiece for The Vision.” Braddock looks at her, studying her closely. “And you certainly have the looks for it and you definitely speak eloquently enough for it, but you could have done so much more.”

“I am so sorry…”

“Apologies do not mean anything.” The Third Generation Goddess snaps back. “Results matter. You got us nothing. So we dumped you. Tell them what we have accomplished since dumping the dead weight, Fiona.”

“Three time MWCW Tag Team Champions. Three time MWA World Tag Team Champions.”

“Precisely.” Melinda states triumphantly. “I won the MWCW Plains Championship. Fiona won the MWCW St. Louis Championship and the GCW Hardcore Championship. All of this was done after we dumped you. This is evidence that YOU were the problem.” Melinda sighs. “But the Braddock family is nothing if not generous and forgiving. You do want to make it as a professional wrestler, do you not? You do want to prove your worth to The Vision and earn the name Braddock?”

“Of course.” Serena nods her head. “Mom…your aunt Julia…she took me in off the streets. I was addicted. She got me clean and put a roof over my head. I want to make her proud. I want to follow in her footsteps. I…”

“My Aunt Julia is a fool and delusional.” Melinda states cooly. “If you truly want to earn the Braddock name and make THIS family proud, if you want to earn your spot in THIS Vision, then you need to be prepared to go the extra mile. Are you prepared to be BETTER than your adoptive mother Julia Braddock?”

“Y…yes…” Serena stammers “...of course.”

“Then you need to be ruthless.” Melinda retorts. “You need to remove the error of emotion from within you. Do not think with your heart but with your mind. After hearing what you have had to say to me just now, I get the sense that you are still too emotional and perhaps too fragile to join The Vision. We cannot have emotion clouding your judgment. We need you to be ruthless. Tell me something, Serena. What do you believe about Fate?”

“Fate?”

“Yes. Fate.”

“Well…” Serena shrugs her shoulders “...I think we can overcome our fate. I think we can carve out our own destiny.”

“How sweet.” Melinda snickers and then looks over at Fiona. “Have you been coaching her?”

“Not me, Mels. Honest.” Fiona says.

“You certainly sound like Fiona.” She winks playfully at Fiona. “But I won’t hold that against you. Fiona believes like you yet she still has become a multi-time champion.” Melinda steps up onto the ring apron and motions for Serena to approach. The young trainee approaches cautiously. “What is your opinion of the Braddock Family Legacy?”

“The spirit of competition.” Serena answers without hesitation. This is clearly not what Melinda wanted to hear. Braddock slaps Serena hard across her face.

“Wrong answer.”

Fiona Logan has seen enough. The Boston Badass hops up onto the ring apron as well.

“Hey, Mels! Back off! Go easy on her, she’s still learning, ok? Remember when you and I first hooked up? I was just as green and innocent and naive as her. It took time with me but you gave me a chance. Give her a chance.”

“Fair enough.” Melinda nods her head. “I suppose there is more to our Vision than just philosophy. You must also be adept inside the ring. So let’s see how much you have learned from Clyde. Fiona, get in the ring and spar with Serena.”

Fiona stepped through the ropes with a casual, practiced ease, her dark boots thudding softly against the canvas. She cracked her knuckles, her eyes locking onto Serena with the steady, assessing gaze of a seasoned veteran who had survived countless wars inside the squared circle. Serena stood near the center of the ring, her chest heaving as she wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. She dropped into a low, defensive stance, her muscles tensed and ready. Despite the lingering sting across her cheek from Melinda's strike, all hesitation vanished from her eyes, replaced by a desperate determination to prove herself. Clyde Sutter leaned against the padded turnbuckle, folding his massive arms across his chest. His expression remained an unreadable mask of stoic authority, watching every single movement with the clinical precision of a master instructor.

Fiona wasted no time. She closed the distance with a sharp burst of speed, lunging forward for a standard collar and elbow tie up. Serena reacted instinctively, absorbing the impact and using her leverage to push back, but Fiona simply pivoted on her heel, shifting her weight effortlessly. With a quick sweep of her leg, Fiona sent the younger woman tumbling onto the mat with a sharp thud. Before Serena could fully recover, Fiona backed up just enough to give her space, gesturing with her hands for her to get back on her feet.

“Come on, kid, show me what the big guy taught you.” Fiona urged with a smirk, her voice echoing off the canvas.

Serena scrambled back to her feet, shaking off the impact. This time, she initiated the contact, charging forward with a flurry of crisp, well timed strikes. She threw a sharp jab followed by a spinning back kick that caught Fiona slightly off guard, forcing the Boston Badass to take a hasty step back. Serena capitalized on the opening instantly, ducking underneath a wild clothesline and executing a textbook arm drag that sent Fiona spinning across the canvas. From the apron, Melinda raised a single platinum blonde eyebrow, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing her aristocratic features. Across the ring, Fiona picked herself up off the mat, spitting out a laugh that was half amused and half impressed. She shook her head, her crimson streaked hair whipping through the air.

“Not bad, kid.” Fiona muttered, her eyes narrowing with a competitive fire.

Serena barely had time to register the compliment before Fiona exploded forward with renewed intensity. The pace of the sparring session accelerated dramatically. Fiona utilized her superior ring awareness and veteran savvy, cutting off Serena's escape routes and backing her into the corner. A series of rapid, calculated forearm strikes kept Serena on the defensive, neutralizing her momentum. With a swift movement, Fiona hooked her arm around Serena's neck, executing a smooth mat slam that rattled the wooden boards beneath the canvas.

Before Serena could catch her breath, Fiona dropped down into a tight, inescapable submission hold, driving her weight down and locking her hands securely into place. Serena struggled against the pressure, her face flushing red as she fought for leverage, but the hold was too secure, the technique too precise. With a soft gasp of frustration, Serena slapped her hand against the canvas twice, submitting to the pressure.

Fiona immediately released the hold, rolling back to her feet with ease. She offered a gloved hand down toward the defeated trainee, a warm and encouraging grin breaking through her tough exterior. Serena took a breath, grabbed the outstretched hand, and allowed herself to be pulled up off the canvas.

Melinda stepped forward, resting both hands on the top turnbuckle as she looked down into the ring. She studied Serena with a cool, analytical gaze, letting the silence stretch for a moment before finally speaking.

“Well, I must admit, your in ring prowess has improved a little bit. Clyde has clearly beaten some actual technique into you, rather than just letting you stand around looking pretty.” Melinda says. Serena caught her breath, wiping her hair back from her face as she looked up at Melinda, waiting for the inevitable catch.

“However,” Melinda continued, her expression hardening once again, “your mind is still weak. You understand the physical demands of the business now, but you still lack the ruthless ambition required to truly stand beside us. You still hesitate. You still think with your heart. And in our world, heart is just a weakness waiting to be exploited.” Melinda turned her gaze toward her fiance, nodding approvingly at the massive enforcer. “Clyde has done his job with your physical training, but the real work has only just begun. If you ever expect to earn the Braddock name, you are going to need much more than a few nice arm drags. You need to learn how to destroy anyone who stands in your way. Now leave.” Braddock point. “Go with Clyde. He will teach you the next lesson.”

Serena looks over Sutter. The anxious nervousness is evident on her face. Fiona can tell that Serena Grace does not look forward to whatever is next. The Boston Badass remains quiet as Serena exits the ring and then follows alongside Clyde Sutter. Fiona watches them until they disappear around the corner and are out of sight. The heavy metal doors of the facility echoed shut as Clyde and Serena vanished into the deeper recesses of the gym, leaving Melinda and Fiona standing alone beneath the bright white lights of the wrestling ring. Then Fiona turns her attention back to The Third Generation Goddess.

“Y’know, Mels, I think you were a little out of line there with Serena.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.” Fiona nods her head. “That kid just wants a chance. She wants an opportunity. More importantly she wants a real family. Now you may not get it because you’ve always had people surrounding you your entire life, good people, but me? Hell, I had no one growing up except that idiot Todd Osbourne who exploited me. You and the Braddock Family were a blessing for adopting me. I see a lot of myself in Serena. Naive, innocent, just looking for a chance.”

“That is my point.” Braddock says. “She is still naive and far too innocent. She must become ruthless if she is to take on the Braddock mantle. She must earn it, just as you earned it. And when she does earn the Braddock family legacy, she will earn the perks that come with it. You know all about those perks, don’t you Fiona?”

“Yeah.” Fiona nods her head. “I’ve held so many championships already in such a short amount of time. Unheard of for someone who never grew up around the sport. I’m eternally grateful for everything you’ve done for me, Mels. You know that.”

“I know you are. But the perks go beyond just the wrestling business.” Melinda smirks. “Recall how our connections, specifically the connections of Lilith Sutter, helped your boyfriend Jacob get a real break with the music industry.”

“Yeah, I remember.” Fiona says, her voice trailing off. Melinda places a hand on her shoulder.

“Do not falter now, Fiona. We are on the precipice of greatness. We own a victory over the number one contender to the Adrenaline Title Kirsten Scott. We have a tag team match against Light in the Darkness, the former SCW World Tag Team Champions and former SCW World Champion. Imagine what this victory would mean for The Vision?”

“It would be huge, Mels.”

“Indeed it would. We cannot falter now. We must remain resolute, steadfast, and aggressive.”

“Right.” Fiona nods her head. “I’m with ya, Mels. All the way, ride or die.”

The silence that settled over the canvas carried a strange kind of gravity, bridging the gap between past struggles and the relentless demands of the present. Fiona watched the empty doorway for a long moment, her thoughts drifting briefly to the formidable road she had traveled from a lost teenager in Boston to a multi time champion standing shoulder to shoulder with the elite of the sport. She knew firsthand the brutal crucible Clyde and Melinda operated within, but she also knew the absolute truth behind Melinda's philosophy. In a world as unforgiving as professional wrestling, sentimentality was a liability, and weakness was an invitation for defeat.

Melinda smoothed the immaculate fabric of her cream tracksuit, her expression returning to its cool, unreadable mask of supreme confidence. The brief emotional detour with Serena had not shaken her resolve in the slightest; if anything, it served as a sharp reminder of why The Vision stood head and shoulders above the rest of the roster. Every member of their inner circle had to be forged in fire, stripped of doubt, and remade in the image of true champions. With Rise To Greatness safely in the rearview mirror and their decisive victory over Kirsten Scott and Scarlett Carsons firmly established, their momentum was completely unstoppable.

The horizon held even greater challenges and far more lucrative opportunities. Attention now turned squarely toward Boston and the upcoming battle on Breakdown against Light in the Darkness. Facing Amelia Nevado and La Pequena Luz presented a monumental test, putting them directly across the ring from former world champions who commanded respect across the entire industry. A victory over such decorated veterans would not merely cement their status as the premier tag team in the division; it would forcefully fling open the doors to world title gold and absolute supremacy. Melinda envisioned a landscape where the Braddock legacy was rewritten entirely under her command, expanding their grand design piece by ruthless piece until no one else dared to stand in their way. For Fiona, the journey was no longer about escaping the shadows of her past or wondering where she belonged. Standing beside Melinda, she had found her true family and her ultimate purpose.